Pusher dies in shootout

A suspected drug pusher was killed after allegedly engaging in an armed encounter operatives from the Manila Police District (MPD) who were conducting a buy-bust operation in Tondo, Manila, the other night.

Police said that at around 10:30 p.m., after receiving tipped information regarding the flagrant peddling of shabu in the area, operatives from the Station Drug Enforcement Group of the MPD-Station 1, led by Senior Inspector Ariel Edwin Fuggan, conducted a buy-bust operation against Panoncio at Building 12, Aroma Temporary Housing at the Aroma Compound in Tondo.

PO2 Dylan Verdan posed as a buyer and was able to purchase shabu. However, police said Panoncio suspected he was dealing with a cop so he fired at Verdan but missed. The cop reportedly fired back and fatally hit the suspect.

Aside from a cal. 38 gun with no serial number, police said also recovered from the suspect were eight plastic sachets of shabu worth P2,500 and P200 marked money used in the buy bust.